Yamaha V Star 250

Don’t get offended when that cute coed admires your V Star 250 and blurts out, “Oh, it’s sooo cute!” This is not a jab; it’s a compliment. Really. Yamaha’s smallest cruiser has for years been the bike of choice for the beginning rider and the frugal commuter alike. The carbureted, 249cc V-twin looks the part and provides ample thrust to keep you ahead of traffic. But the heart of the matter is three items on the spec sheet—a seat height of 27 inches, a wet weight of 326 pounds, and a hang-tag with a mere $4,390 printed on it. Now you can use the money you didn’t spend to take that coed to a movie.